Diamond merchant's balance, probably Italian, mid 17th century. The walnut case has been beautifully carved to simulate tooled leather, whilst on the inside of the lid there is a hand coloured engraving of Venus and Adonis in a wooded landscape. Inside the case there are compartments containing a range of weights. The beam scale is stored in sections and when fully erected is held in place in a square recess in the front left of the case.Although this case is believed to have been made in Italy, by the 17th century, the main diamond trade in Europe has moved its centre from Venice to the Netherlands.